Making a Small Kitchen Work Better

Small kitchens get a bad reputation, but most of the time the issue isn’t size - it’s how the space is laid out and used.

I’ve worked in plenty of kitchens where there wasn’t much room, but a few smart changes made a big difference. What matters most is how the space functions day to day, not how much fits on paper.

Storage is usually the first thing to look at. In small kitchens, wasted space adds up fast. Cabinets that go all the way up, pull-out shelves, and using corners properly can give you more usable storage without changing the footprint of the room. Open shelving can help too, as long as it’s kept simple and practical.

Appliances and fixtures need to earn their keep. In tighter kitchens, oversized or rarely used features just get in the way. Choosing appliances that fit the space - and how you actually cook - makes everything feel easier to move around in.

Lighting matters more than people expect. A kitchen with good, even lighting feels bigger and easier to work in. Under-cabinet lighting helps with everyday tasks and keeps the room from feeling boxed in, especially at night.

Lighter finishes tend to help in small spaces, but they don’t need to feel stark. Simple colors, clean materials, and fewer visual breaks make a kitchen feel calmer and more open. The goal isn’t to make it look bigger - it’s to make it feel less crowded.

Layout is where most small kitchens either work or don’t. Keeping clear paths between the sink, stove, and refrigerator makes the space easier to use. Sometimes small adjustments - shifting a doorway, changing a cabinet depth, or rethinking where storage lives - solve problems that flashy upgrades don’t.

Custom cabinetry can help in tight spaces, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Even a few tailored pieces, like a narrow pull-out or a better corner solution, can improve how the kitchen functions.

A small kitchen doesn’t need to do everything. It just needs to work well. When the layout makes sense and the details are handled carefully, size stops being the main issue.